The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 577

Jonas couldn't help but grin when he was chastised by the fiery beauty before him. He shook his head in a self-satisfied manner. "Or, you know, I could just marry you. That would work, too."

Elisea had had enough. She shot Jonas a scathing look. "Out with it, what's your angle? You could've easily offed me last night without breaking a sweat. So why the sudden kindness? Not only did you not kill me, but you're sparing my life?"

"Ah, of course, I have my schemes," Jonas admitted without hesitation. "I've already told you my reasons."

Elisea furrowed her brow again. This jerk was speaking in riddles! She couldn't make heads or tails of what he was on about!

But Jonas didn't seem interested in elaboration. His gaze was soft and gentle. "Ellie, relax. I have no intention of killing you. In fact, I'll take extra good care of you. Make yourself at home here. I saw you were hurt last night, so I'll have a doctor come check on you later."

Elisea's sense of security wavered as she stood up, pointing an accusatory finger at Jonas' nose. "You are such a jerk, how dare you peek at my back!"

Nobody knew better than Elisea the scars that marred her back – remnants of a failed mission long ago, when she had been lashed seven times by the boss! They were frightening and hideous.

Jonas feigned innocence, opening his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I wasn't peeking, I swear. I did ask, but you were out like a light."

Frustrated and out of her element in this verbal sparring match, Elisea felt utterly cornered by Jonas. If she could have, she would've thrown her fork at him, hoping to leave him with more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese.

Watching Elisea's huff, Jonas teasingly cocked an eyebrow. "Better eat up before the food gets cold. Don't worry, it's not poisoned."

With that, he took a bite of the chicken he'd prepared, giving a comedic thumbs-up. "Mmm, tastes pretty darn good."

Elisea's stomach growled – she'd been hungry for a while. Hesitantly, she sat back down. Since this jerk didn't seem keen on killing her just yet, she might as well fill her belly first. She wasn't about to starve!

Determined not to let Jonas look down on her, Elisea glared at him and started shoveling food into her mouth. The meal Jonas made was indeed delicious, and given her hunger, she devoured two plates like a whirlwind.

Jonas' heart twisted seeing her eat with such ferocity. What had she been through all these years to become the person she was now? He silently kept adding food to her plate, worried she wasn't eating well enough.

Elisea didn't refuse the hospitality, cleaning her plate quickly.

Suddenly, Jonas extended his hand towards her. Wary, Elisea caught his wrist with her fork, eyeing him defensively. "What are you playing at?"

With his right hand caught, Jonas swiftly used his left to remove a stray grain of rice from her lower lip, softly saying, "Just getting rid of that rice grain."

Elisea's cheeks flushed. She pursed her lips and continued to focus on her meal.